Improvement in traction-engines



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Improvement in Traction-Engines.

N0. 129,984, Patented July 30, 1872.

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IMPROVEMENT IN TRACTlON-ENGINES.-

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 129,984., dated July30, 1872.

Specification describing a Traction-Engine, invented by DWIGHT 0.PIERCE, of Portage, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan.

The first partof my invention consists of legs for propelling. Thesecond part consists of a shaft, upon which is wound a chain, to whichthe load is attached; said shaft also carries a band-wheel, forstationary purposes, and is revolved by a rotary engine, or attached tothe steam-cylinders. The purpose ofthis combination is to enable theengine, when drawing a load, to overcome such obstacles as hills ormuddy places by first passing over the obstacle itself, and then, as astationary engine, drawing its load over. It is'operated by removing acatch or pin from the shaft at the bottom of the hill, allowing thechain to unwind, the load to stop,'and the engine to ascend alone. 'Atthe top of the hill the engine may be stopped, the shaft set in motionto wind up the chain and -draw the load. The third part is the apparatusfor guiding; andconsistsof a caster-wheel so arranged as v to run freeor stationary. The fourth part consistsof an adjustable foot, theconstruction and use of which are clearly shown in the accompanyingdrawing, to which reference is fastened at the upper end to the frame bya pin or bolt, 0, on which they move. A .joint, 1), is made near themiddle of the legs B, near which is attached an .endless chain, E,carried by concave pulleys F. On the opposite side of the frame A isattached to the chain E, as seen in Fig. 5, a similar leg, B, whichalternates with its opposite leg in motion-that is, when one goes up theother goes down. The lower end of the leg B can be used with or withoutthe foot, Fig. 4. 7

When the joint D is elevated by the action of the piston-rod G upon thewalking-beam H through its connections I with the endless chain' E thelower half of a leg swings forward; bythe same motion the opposite leg Bis being brought to a straight line, which moves the frame forward. Aset of two legs is worked by each end of the walking-beam H. Y is thesteam-cylinder.

In Fig. 2, J is a rotary engine, which turns the shaft L for the purposeof winding up the chain M. N is the hook for attaching the load. K is aband-wheel for stationary purposes. O is the boiler. I

In Fig. 3, R is the guiding-wheel; U, the caster-post. P is the disk,bearing the eccentric slide V, that engages the cogs. The shaft S turnsthe disk P by means of the handcrank X. T is the slide that throws thecocentric slides V in and out of gear.

In Fig. 4 is shown the adjustable foot for the purpose of preventing theleg from sinking in soft ground.

In Fig. 5, E is the endless chain, carried on the pulleys F, to whichthe leg B is attached at D.

with a traction-engine, substantially as de-' scribed, and for thepurposes set forth.

4. I claim thecombination of the bandwheel K upon the shaft L, revolvedby its cranks, in connection with the cylinder Y, substantially asdescribed, and for the purposes set forth.

5. I claim the combination of a caster.

wheel, R, with its frame and post U, with the eccentric slides V uponthe disk 1?, and shaft S, slide T, and crank X, arranged substantiallyas described, and for thejpurposes set forth.

6. Iclaim an adjustable foot, made in the manner described, and for thepurposes set forth.

DWIGHT (J. PIERCE.

Witnesses:

J. PARSONS, O. M. PHELPS.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure

